If each school already has a PTO, why do you need another?

In recent years, the 8 individual PTOs have raised a total of approximately $95,500 annually to support 4,400+ CCS students and their teachers and staff. Fundraising fluctuates significantly from school to school based on demographics and family involvement, creating inequities in everything from staff appreciation to academic enrichment opportunities. One elementary school PTO raised $20,000 last year to support school events and staff appreciation while another raised just $5,500. 

A combined City-wide PTO Fund addresses this imbalance and aims to be a more fair and consistent source of funds across CCS. The coordination and allocation of funds would give each school more confidence in funding regardless of outside factors – like a global pandemic or drastic policy and funding changes at the state and federal levels – and internal factors such as individual PTO participation and leadership.

Will this take money away from my school's PTO?

No. Each school’s PTO will conduct their own fundraisers as always. We will collaborate on outreach to local companies and philanthropic institutions. Part of the money raised by the City-wide PTO will make its way back to your individual school(s). If we are successful with our goals, this effort will bring additional funding to all schools.

Should I donate to my school PTO or the City-wide PTO?

Both if you can! We encourage everyone to continue to donate to their school PTO fundraisers – and to also consider a donation to the City-wide PTO Fund. While current Charlottesville City School families might choose to prioritize donations to their current school(s), we ask you to promote the City-wide PTO Fund to a broader audience: your neighbors, local companies, philanthropists and foundations.

How will the money be divided up?

Donations made to the Fund will be divided and allocated to PTOs at all six elementary schools, Charlottesville Middle School (which includes Walker Upper Elementary 2025-2026), Charlottesville High School, and Lugo-McGinness Academy with plans to include the new Pre-K school 2026-2027.  Distribution percentages will be based on each school’s Economically Disadvantaged population of students accounting for how each school compares to the Mean. This calculation will be revised annually based on current year enrollments and data.

Raising $100,000 would generate allocations that look like the below based on the current student data:

How will the City-wide PTO spend the money?

After funds are distributed to the schools, the use of the funds will then be determined by each individual PTO. Such expenditures could include the following:

• Student  and school community events

• Field trips

• Teacher grants

• Academic enrichment opportunities (speakers, activities) 

• Supplemental funds (i.e. outdoor playground and sports equipment)

• Community assistance

Why do I have to send the money to CACF?

CACF is hosting our Fund and serving as our fiscal agent for donations. We have set up a Donor Advised Fund that they manage on our behalf and then disburse funds to our PTOs at certain points during the year.

Is my donation tax deductible?

Yes! Because CACF is a 501(c)3 organization and your donations are being received by them, your donations are 100% tax deductible.

If my employer or a business I’m familiar with might be interested in donating, what should I do?

If your employer or another local business might be interested in donating, please reach out to us via email at charlottesvilleptofund@gmail.com and let us know more details and we’ll follow up with you or your employer/business to discuss. They can also make a direct donation through the website.

Wasn’t there already a combined PTO? 

This Fund follows in the footsteps of a similar fund – called the CCS Reopening Fund or “Joint PTO” –  that was created in the 2020-2021 school year. During that school year the PTOs collaborated on a fundraising effort to address the significant impacts COVID and equitable access to virtual learning many families faced. The effort was ultimately deemed successful – raising $165,000 from 200 donors – and we have used it as a model as we created the new City-wide PTO Fund.